DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Friday, July 6, 2018

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak … – Matthew 12:36

I am forever and reverently mindful of these cautionary words spoken by Christ.  No matter how people might spin their theology of forgiveness, I do believe that we will still give an account of our lives, our actions and our inactions, our words and our silences.

I find the air flooded with careless words.  Some are deceiving and deceptive words.  Some are insincere and hollow words.  Some are words of cruel condemnation.  Some are hurtful, wounding words.  Some are mean-spirited words.  Some are manipulative, self-serving words.  Some are boastful words filled with hubris and haughtiness.  Some are words that ignite rage and words that blind the power of wise discernment.

Every sermon I preached, I was vividly aware that each word I spoke was listened to by the Lord.  And I believed that the Lord who called me and the Lord who guided me required of me keen consciousness of the authenticity and veracity of my words.  Often my preaching was at odds with the prejudices that lingered within me and went against the grain of my own sinfulness.  For the most part, I preaching to needs of my own mortal soul, allowing the congregation to listen in.  And when I stand before the Lord and lean into His Mercy, I know there will be words spoken that I then will regret.  But I pray they will be few and the few will be forgiven … for the Lord will know the intent of my heart.

My Loved Ones, I do not speak to aggrandize myself.  I do not speak to further some ideological cause.  Rather I speak in allegiance to Christ and to speak words that come from His Holy Conscience.  And I pray that you will join me.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, – Matthew 12:36

Always in Christ’s Service,

Fr. Charitas de la Cruz